Research Technology

NYU is one of the national leaders in the deployment of technology in the service of academic, scientific, and medical research. Connect‘s Research Technology column explores the ways in which research technology is used across the many disciplines at the University.

In February of 2018, 3D scanning and printing experts at NYU’s LaGuardia Studio arrived — in a blizzard — at NYU Langone Health to scan the face of 23-year-old William Fisher, who was donating his face. The Studio was tasked with creating a highly-detailed, lifelike mask to replace the face Fisher was giving to another, California resident Cameron Underwood. This is the story of the 34 hours Studio staff spent as part of this groundbreaking procedure.

In the 1800s, Colden’s Liquid Beef Tonic was sold as a cure for alcoholism. It’s primary ingredient? Alcohol. This may not be the sort of thing one expects to learn at an event dedicated to discussing data visualization and research. DH+Data Day is a testament to the expansions in who uses data, what they use it for, and how it’s analyzed.

Rice is the staple food for approximately 50% of the world’s population. The rice of the future must be cultivated using less water, less land, and under severe environmental stresses. Mapping the rice genome is a step toward attaining these goals. Researchers at NYU are using high performance computing resources to achieve the task.

The powers of Marvel Comics character Jane Foster were on full display at this year’s AMUG Conference. Inspired by Foster’s signature Thor armor, Dhemerae Ford, an Advanced Media Specialist at the LaGuardia Studio, presented a 3D printed prototype of Jane Foster’s helmet, which showcased details from the character’s costume and symbols found in Norse mythology.

Lynda Carter is best known for her starring role in the 1970s television series Wonder Woman and is currently appearing as the president of the United States on The CW’s Supergirl. For the Met Gala, she wore a brilliant gold tiara reminiscent of the gold tiara she wore in her most famous role. The tiara that garnered so much press attention was created using the 3D modeling and printing resources of NYU’s LaGuardia Studio.

A team of students from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering recently built a prototype mobile app that translates spoken words into sign language to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people.ARSL (Augmented Reality Sign Language) is part of Verizon’s Connected Futures challenge which, in partnership with NYC Media Lab, supports new media and technology projects from universities across New York City.

Did you know there was a time when the NYU Physics Lab was heated by a potbelly stove in the middle of the classroom? Or that the majority of the University was at one time contained in a single building? You can take a trip through the history of Washington Square Park, NYU buildings, and the surrounding neighborhood by visiting the Washington Square Photo Collection.

Designating oneself as an organ donor is a familiar concept, but few people consider the prospect of donating their face to someone in need of a transplant. There’s a difficult aspect the families of potential donors must consider: How is their loved one returned to them? Previously, the solution was a silicone mask. Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez thought something better could be provided. NYU LaGuardia Studio was determined to provide it for him.

Bjork has long been interested in the intersection of technology and nature. In June of 2016, Bjork appeared onstage at the Tokyo Miraikan Museum wearing a mask designed and printed by professor Neri Oxman at MIT’s Mediated Matter Lab based on 3D scans of Bjork done at NYU’s LaGuardia Studio.

Augmented Reality is set to become one of the largest new industries of the 21st century. The Mobile Augmented Reality Lab at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering introduces students to working with AR in a myriad of ways.